Former Auburn Deputy Mayor Salim Mehajer has been released from prison after serving time for multiple convictions, including perverting the course of justice and domestic violence. His release is subject to strict parole conditions and ongoing supervision.

Parramatta

Salim Mahajer, the former Auburn Deputy Mayor and convicted fraudster, has been released from prison after serving more than four years. Mahajer, known for his high-profile wedding and subsequent legal troubles, was found guilty of perverting the course of justice, making a false statement under oath, multiple assaults, intimidation, and serious domestic violence offences.

Upon release, Mahajer is subject to strict parole conditions, including regular check-ins with corrections officers, a ban on contact with his victim and the Central Coast area, and ongoing psychiatric treatment and substance testing. The State Parole Authority has classified him as a medium risk of re-offending. Mahajer has indicated plans to appeal some of his convictions.

Disgraced Mayor Salim Mehajer released from prison

After more than four years out of the spotlight he often sought, Salim Mahajer feels the sun on his face, once more a free man. But the former councillor, now convicted fraudster, who once brashly declared he'd run for Prime Minister, was making no bold statements today. Channel 10. Not at all. Appreciate it, though. That's alright. Do you want to talk about how freedom is? Do you have any plans? Not at this stage. No plans, but a number of stops to make. Mahajer was whisked from the gates of John Moroney Correctional Facility this morning in a black Mercedes behind tinted windows. Visiting Westfield at Parramatta, changing his details at a government service centre before a dental appointment at Hornsby. After that he was dropped to an apartment complex, the rest of his errands conducted on foot. Salim Mahajer first gained infamy after closing down a street for his lavish wedding. There were sports cars and helicopters. Not only show the world how a female should be treated, but also I think it's a lead up to my future brother-in-laws. They've got big shoes to fill. Handed a $220 fine for the illegal road closure, it was to be a minor offence on an escalating rap sheet. The once Deputy Mayor of Auburn was found guilty on two counts of perverting the course of justice and another on making a false statement under oath, including a fabricated car accident intended to avoid a court hearing. Later, he was also found guilty of multiple assaults and one of intimidation. Not only are these allegations false and misleading, but they are sheer evil and un-Australian. He was also found guilty of intimidating, beating and suffocating to the point of unconsciousness an ex-partner, as well as threatening to kill her mother. Now released, he intends to appeal those charges. Life on the outside is not without conditions for Mr Mahajer. The State Parole Authority in June, in recommending his release, did declare him a person of medium risk of re-offending. Of course, he'll have to abide by good behaviour and check in with a corrections officer regularly. He's not to have any affiliations with outlaw motorcycle gangs or gangland associates. And as a DV offender, he can't have any contact with his victim or enter the entire Central Coast. He'll have to notify authorities if he wants to leave the state and will have to continue treatment with a psychiatrist, as well as regular testing for drugs and alcohol. What comes next, only he knows. I don't believe I have what it takes to be a superstar, but we'll see what happens. If an opportunity knocks on my door, I'm always willing for a challenge. For now at least, he walks through an open one without a jailer holding the key. Chris Campy, 10 News.

The European Union has agreed to impose a new round of sanctions against Russia, targeting the country's energy and financial sectors in a bid to tighten the screws on the Kremlin's war machine and force a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine.

Moscow

Ukraine Invasion

EU imposes new sanctions on Russia's oil and banks

U.S. President Donald Trump denies writing a letter signed 'Donald' beneath a nude sketch in Jeffrey Epstein’s 50th birthday album, details of which were published by the Wall Street Journal. The letter is now under review by the U.S. Justice Department.

Washington

Trump denies writing crude letter to Jeffrey Epstein

The United Kingdom is to lower its voting age in general elections from 18 to 16, giving the country one of the lowest voting ages in the world in what the government says is a bid to “modernise our democracy”.

London

UK to lower voting age to 16 in landmark electoral reform

Following a call with President Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a rare apology, saying the only Catholic church in Gaza was hit by stray ammunition. The blast killed three civilians. Ramy Inocencio reports.

Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Netanyahu apologizes for deadly strike on Catholic church in Gaza

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has suggested that TSA may soon end its restrictions on liquids in carry-on bags.

TSA may eliminate liquid restrictions on planes

A Tennessee judge on Thursday set Kilmar Abrego Garcia's criminal trial date for January 27, 2026. Abrego Garcia is facing human smuggling charges. CBS News justice correspondent Scott MacFarlane reports.

Tennessee

Judge sets Kilmar Abrego Garcia's criminal trial date for January 2026

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday that President Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency.

Trump diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency

Black-box recording indicates that the flight's captain switched off fuel flow to both engines of the recently crashed Air India airplane, according to media reports on Wednesday, citing preliminary U.S. assessment of evidence.

Ahmedabad

Flight captain switched off fuel flow to engines in Air India crash

The Department of Justice has fired Maurene Comey, a federal prosecutor and the daughter of ex-FBI director James Comey. This comes as the White House tries to mitigate demands for the Jeffrey Epstein files to be released.

DOJ fires Maurene Comey, who helped prosecute Jeffrey Epstein

The Senate approved a $9.4 billion rescissions request, sending it back to the House of Representatives for approval.

Senate approves spending cuts to foreign aid, public broadcasting

Israel has faced international condemnation over its three days of airstrikes in Syria. The European Union and the United Nations have called for a return to calm, while Iran has urged countries in the region to respond against Israel.

Damascus

World reacts to Israeli attacks on Syria’s Damascus

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz makes his first state visit to the United Kingdom to sign a historic defence cooperation treaty—the first of its kind between Germany and Britain since the Second World War. The agreement includes plans for joint defence efforts, boosting economic collaboration, and tackling illegal migration.

Germany and UK seal historic defence pact

Donald Trump says American-made weapons bought by NATO are being shipped to Ukraine. Trump's also threatening sanctions, saying his aim is to force Putin to negotiate an end to the war. But with Ukraine under nightly attack, there’s scepticism over whether he'll achieve anything.

Kyiv

U.S. ships NATO purchased Patriot missiles to Ukraine

Syria condemns Israel for fatal strikes on several government buildings in Damascus. The escalation threatens to disrupt new U.S.-brokered security talks between Israel and Syria, with both sides expressing concerns over stability in the region.

Israeli airstrikes on Syria threaten security talks

U.S. President Donald Trump is still dealing with fallout from his own supporters over his administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. CBS News Department of Justice reporter Jake Rosen has more.

Trump says Epstein conspiracy theory is hoax started by Democrats

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said that she spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and that the two had agreed to strengthen trade collaboration, particularly in light of the tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump set to go in effect on August 1.

Mexico City

Global Tariffs

Mexico plans to strengthen trade with Canada

Former President Barack Obama joined his wife, former first lady Michelle Obama, on her latest podcast episode with her brother Craig Robinson to address divorce rumors.

Obamas address divorce rumors on Michelle’s podcast

Israel struck Syrian military targets as well as central Damascus on Wednesday (July 16) as it continued its campaign to protect Druze minority communities in southern Syria.

Israel strikes Damascus as fighting rages in southern Syria

U.S. ambassador Mike Huckabee's appearance at Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial follows President Trump's call for Israel to throw out the case or pardon the Israeli prime minister.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

U.S. ambassador attends Netanyahu trial to show support from Trump

President Donald Trump on Tuesday said the U.S. would impose a 19% tariff on goods from Indonesia under a new agreement with the Southeast Asian country and more deals were in the works as he continued to press for what he views as better terms with trading partners.

Trump eyes more trade deals soon as EU readies retaliation

At least 20 Palestinians were killed on Wednesday (July 16) at an aid distribution site run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, in what the U.S.-backed group said was a crowd surge instigated by armed agitators. This video contains graphic images.

Crush at Gaza aid site kills at least 20, GHF blames agitators

Police in Los Angeles have arrested a 22-year-old suspect in the double homicide of American Idol executive Robin Kaye and her husband, Thomas Deluca. The couple, both 70 years old, was found shot to death in their home earlier this week.

Encino

Police make arrest in murders of American Idol executive, husband

Streaming shows dominated nominations for the 2025 Emmy Awards. "Severance" earned the most series nominations with 27. Meanwhile, "The Studio" earned the most-ever nominations for a debut comedy series with 23.

Hollywood

'Severance' and 'The Studio' earn top Emmy nominations

The United Torah Judaism party has decided to quit Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ruling coalition over its failure to secure military service exemptions. Members of the ultra-orthodox community have been exempted from enlisting in the army since 1948.

Major cracks in Netanyahu coalition as ultra-Orthodox party quits

New information about the Jeffrey Epstein case may soon be made public after a reversal from U.S. President Donald Trump and weeks of criticism — the loudest of which has come from within the MAGA movement.

Epstein files may be released after Trump reversal

Russia's Vladimir Putin has rejected President Trump's ultimatum for Moscow to sign a ceasefire deal with Ukraine in the next 50 days. Trump has threatened to issue a 100% tariff on any country that does business with Russia if no ceasefire deal is reached.

Russia rejects Trump's ultimatum for ceasefire in Ukraine

Fighting has erupted in the southern Syrian city of As Suwayda just six hours after a ceasefire was announced. Earlier on Tuesday, Syrian government forces withdrew heavy vehicles from the city, hoping to ease tensions.

As Suwayda

Fighting erupts in Syria’s As Suwayda hours after ceasefire deal

Two laptops and hard drives containing watermarked and unreleased music by Beyoncé were stolen from her choreographer’s rental car in Atlanta, according to police.

Atlanta

Unreleased Beyoncé music stolen from choreographer’s rental car

The House Committee on Education and Workforce is holding its ninth hearing in 18 months on antisemitism on college campuses. CBS News' Shanelle Kaul has more details.

Anger at House committee hearing on antisemitism in college campuses

An Air India Boeing airplane crashed in northwestern India in June, killing all people on board but one passenger. India's aviation regulator has now ordered airlines to examine fuel control switches on several Boeing models.

Breakdown